A Ganglion Cyst is a fluid filled sac that looks like a tumor above the wrist. The cyst may appear, disappear or quickly change its shape and size. In some cases the lump may become painful and interfere with the functioning of wrist joint. They can be formed in either side of wrist or at the base of the fingers.

Causes

Arthritis

Gymnasts who continuously put pressure on their wrists

Females between the age group of 40 -80

Trauma that causes tissue in the wrist to breakdown

Symptoms

Swelling that may appear over time or suddenly

Acute pain

Sense on weakness in the affected area

Tingling sensation

Diagnosis

The doctor may physically examine the condition by applying pressure on the lump. This is done to evaluate the tenderness of the outgrowth. Some questions regarding the onset of the ganglion may also be asked to the patient. If the patient has been experiencing pain, he may suggest X-ray and a MRI Scan.

An X-ray may be carried out in order to rule out the probability of other conditions such as, bone tumor and Arthritis. An MRI may be conducted to visualize the fluid filled ganglion and the surrounding tissues.

Treatment

Non-Surgical Treatment

Observation – Since the outgrowth is not cancerous, the doctor may ask the patient to wait for some time and see if there is reduction in pain and tumor’s appearance.

Immobilization - The doctor may advise the patients to wear splint or a wrist brace to limit the motion. This is suggested because excessive movement may aggravate the symptoms and cause the lump to grow, leading to more pressure over the nerves.

Aspiration – In case Ganglion Cyst causes immense pain in the wrist, the fluid may be drained off. The doctor may puncture the cyst with a needle and withdraw the fluid.

Surgical Treatment –

The orthopedic surgeon may recommend a surgery if the non- surgical procedure doesn’t prove to be effective. He may perform an excision surgery to get rid of the cyst. The procedure involves removal of the lump along with joint capsule or tendon sheath that serves as the root of the ganglion. It is an outpatient surgery and the patient can return to home the same day. Some exercises may also be suggested to the patients in order to regain wrist’s mobility.

For more information regarding Ganglion Wrist’s treatment, contact Dr. Charles Neagle III. He is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon and is known for providing excellent treatment for hand, elbow and wrist related disorders. To request an appointment, call at (972) 492 – 1334.

The wrist is the joint that connects the hand to the arm. It comprises of eight smalls sized bones which are linked to the radius and the ulna (two bones in the forearm). Break or cracking any of these bones is medically termed as a wrist fracture. The radius is most likely to break in this joint. Wrist fractures can be classified as stable and unstable fractures.

Unstable Fracture- the bone may break into two or more pieces and even after these pieces have been put back in their anatomical place with a cast to secure them, these may again slip out. It makes the joint pretty unstable and difficult to manage

Stable Fracture- the broken pieces of bones do not move out of their place and can be easily treated with a simple cast

Some fractures may be so severe that a piece of the broken bone may cut through the skin and cause a wound. Such injuries (also known as open fractures) pose a high risk of infections and take a lot of time to heal.

Causes

Falling on an outstretched hand may cause the wrist to break

Vehicular accidents may severely impact the wrist joint as high force is applied against the hand

People suffering from osteoporosis tend to develop weak bones and supporting soft tissue structures. They are at a higher risk of fractures

Symptoms

Pain around the wrist, hand, fingers and forearm especially when moved

Swelling may occur immediately after the injury

Tenderness and redness around the wrist or lower arm

Loss of motion in the hand, fingers and lower armNumbness may be experienced

Visibly deformed wrist

Diagnosis

The doctor will conduct a thorough physical check of the injured hand to assess the severity of injury

X-ray imaging is required to study the location of the broken bone and the ones around it

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition characterized by damage to the ulnar nerve in the elbow. The ulnar nerve is the most unprotected nerve in the body and does not have any muscle or bone covering, making it prone to injuries. The nerve originates from the cervical spine (C8-T1 nerve roots). It then forms the part of “Brachial Plexus”. It enters the hand providing sensation to the little finger and adjacent half of the ring finger.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve is damaged from where it passes through a shallow groove on the inner side of the elbow.

Causes:

Pressure: As the ulnar nerve lacks any protective padding, even a slight pressure, for example- prolonged leaning on the arm rest or a sudden blow to the elbow; may cause a tingling sensation in the ring and little finger-commonly referred to as 'fall asleep'.

Stretching: Bending the elbow for a long period of time, such as during sleep, may result in stretching of the ulnar nerve.

Anatomy: The ulnar nerve may snap out of its place due to repetitive elbow movements. Repetitive snapping can lead to thickening of the soft tissue and affect the functioning of the nerve.

Symptoms:

Pain in the elbow and fingers extending up to the finger tips

Loss of sensation/ numbness

Weakness in the little and ring finger

Decrease in gripping power

The ability to pinch the thumb and little finger may decrease

Muscle wasting of the hand

Claw-like hand deformity

Diagnosis:

An orthopedic doctor may review the frequency, duration and severity of the symptoms experienced by the patient.

He may also conduct Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) test to measure the ability of the nerve to transmit the sensory or motor signals.

EMG or Electromyography may also help in determining the severity of the condition.

Treatment:

The doctor may advise the patient to avoid leaning on the elbow to prevent worsening of the condition.

He may also suggest to wear splints to support the arm and elbow, particularly at night.

Performing certain exercises to strengthen the muscles of the arm and hand

In severe cases of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, surgery may be needed to relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Physiotherapy may be required to boost recovery after the surgery.

Dr. Neagle is a renowned hand surgeon in Carrollton, TX providing treatment for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and various other orthopedic conditions. To schedule an appointment with the surgeon, call at (972) 492 – 1334.

Wrist sprain is a common sports injury caused by stretching of the ligaments beyond their normal range of motion. The ligaments that control the movement of the wrist joint may get injured or torn; thus, causing wrist sprain, which is a painful condition. Wrist sprain ranges from mild to severe and depending upon the severity of the injury, it can be categorized as:

Grade I: It is a minor sprain in which the ligament is stretched without causing any tears.

Grade II: In this, the ligaments are partially torn, leading to loss of function.

Grade III: It occurs when the ligaments are completely torn.

Causes

Falling on an outstretched hand

Sudden twisting of wrist due to excessive pressure

Injury during sports and other outdoor activities

Symptoms

Intense pain

Swelling in the wrist

Bruising

Discoloration of the skin around the affected area

Tenderness

Popping and tearing inside the wrist

Warmth and burning sensation

Diagnosis

An orthopedic doctor may discuss your medical history and ask for any previous injuries to the wrist. He may physically examine the joint to find out the extent of damage to the ligaments and bones in the wrist joint. He may also recommend certain imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI or CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

RICE therapy: The doctor may recommend you to follow the RICE therapy i.e. rest, ice packs, compression and elevation to reduce swelling as well as pain.

Medication: He may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to offer relief from pain and inflammation.

Immobilization: To promote healing, it is essential that you keep the wrist immobile for at least 2 weeks. You may be recommended to wear a wrist splint to reduce stiffness and avoid putting stress on the affected ligaments.

Stretching exercises: Performing light stretching exercises may help to regain strength and mobility of the wrist joint.

Surgery: In case of a grade III sprain, surgery may be required to reconnect the torn ligaments to the bone.

Rehabilitation

After surgery, you will have to undergo a rehabilitation program depending upon the severity of the sprain. The exercises will help to strengthen the wrist muscles and restore the functionality of the joint.

For complete treatment of wrist sprain, visit Dr. Neagle in Carrollton, TX. To schedule an appointment with the wrist surgeon, you can call at (972) 492 – 1334 or visit 4780 North Josey Lane, Carrollton, Texas 75010.

The Scapholunate Ligament connects the two carpal bones together, scaphoid and lunate. These play a major role in the proper movement of the wrist joint by making both the bones move in the same direction and stabilizing the wrists. In a Scapholunate Ligament tear, these bones change their positions and the scaphoid bends forward while the lunate goes backwards. Thus, there is a significant loss of grip due to an unusual gap between them, which eventually lead to Wrist Arthritis.

Causes

Scapholunate Ligament tears are mainly caused due to a fall with an outstretched hand, motor vehicle accident, weight lifting etc. Certain degenerative conditions of the wrist, such as Arthritis, can also weaken the Scapholunate Ligament and make it vulnerable to injuries.

Symptoms

Intense pain in the thumb side of the wrist

Swelling at the back or center of the wrist

Clicking sound while moving the wrist

Stiffness on the affected side

Loss of grip

Visible bruising and discoloration

Instability of the wrist

Loss of motion in the wrist, in severe cases

Diagnosis

To diagnose a Scapholunate Ligament tear, the orthopedic doctor may physically examine the wrist to determine the exact location of the pain. He may also suggest certain imaging tests such as X-rays and MRI scan to rule out the presence of fracture or tissue damage.

Treatment

Depending upon the severity and cause of the condition, the orthopedic doctor may prescribe the following treatment options:

Anti-Inflammatory Medications: The patient may be prescribed certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation in the wrist.

Immobilization: Giving complete rest to the wrist by restricting its movements can allow the affected muscles and tissues to heal.

Activity Modification: Activities that increases pain, such as pushing or gripping, should be avoided till the pain subsides.

Braces: The orthopedic doctor may also prescribe wearing a brace or cast for two to six weeks. This will help to provide stability and support to the wrist.

Physical Therapy: Once the pain and swelling has reduced, rehabilitation programs may help to restore the normal strength and range of motion of the wrist.

Surgery: It is usually recommended in severe cases of Scapholunate Ligament tear. During a procedure, the wrist surgeon may use pins and wires to hold the two carpal bones together.

For comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of Scapholunate Ligament Tear, you can consult Dr. Neagle in Carrollton, TX. To schedule an appointment with the hand and wrist specialist, you can call at (972) 492 – 1334.